UCSD to rename IT Institute for Qualcomm

UC San Diego is renaming its telecommunications and information technology research institute after wireless chip maker Qualcomm in recognition of the company’s donations over the years.

Formerly called the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, or Calit2, the new name for the IT research arm is a mouthful: The Qualcomm Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, the UC San Diego Division of Calit2.

The university is calling it The Qualcomm Institute for short.

Qualcomm and related entities have donated $26 million to the institute over the past 12 years.

“This recognition is much deserved given the important roles that Qualcomm and the Qualcomm Foundation have played in helping us to build and cement the institute’s reputation as a world leader in technologies that benefit society,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla in a statement.

Calit2 will remain the name of the combined institute, which includes the divisions at UC San Diego and UC Irvine. The state and the University of California established the institutes in December 2000 as an investment in the state's economic future.

Funds from Qualcomm have endowed five chairs for professors at the institute, as well as funded many scholarships and fellowships over the years.

The Qualcomm Institute aims to foster more collaboration between the institute and researchers in industry. On May 24, the institute will mark the transition and name change with an open house at its Atkinson Hall headquarters for the public, the campus community and industry partners, including Qualcomm employees.